Salt - Food Type Inspired by Nayyirah Waheed

Nayyirah Waheed is a true poet, speaking to love's broken, confusing, and ultimately human relationships. She examines adoration of self, others, country, and skin in her latest volume, Salt, all of which profoundly resonated with me. Literal application is so rare, but what better materials than rose buds, hibiscus, and pink himalayan salt to rub into melancholy wounds?

Stay Soft is tucked between real flowers, suspended by wire. The crystal lettering was grown in a super saturated solution over the course of a couple days. Borax was used for its boxy, sturdy crystal development, which held tightly to the wire once submerged. The juxtaposition of hard and soft items helps solidify the conceptual and visual tension.

Flower Salt is a collaboration between myself and photographer Allie Lehman of The Wonder Jam. I gifted Allie a copy of Salt, which resonated enough to develop a collaborative image. Allie’s beauty client produced gorgeous floral bath salts, which I fashioned into lettering 6 x 6’. We shot on a large marble slab in TWJ’s studio.